December 2025 CEI Bulletin
Congregation Emanu-El Israel
222 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA. 15601
Kislev – Tevet 5786
December 2025
724-834-0560
The Mission of Congregation Emanu-El Israel is: To support Judaism and the welfare of our community.
—————————————————–
FROM THE DESK OF: Rabbi Lenny
In Honor of Chanukah
Menorah Man
Joshua made a living as a scrap recycler. He would travel in his truck to various building demolition jobs around the city, pick up metals like copper, nickel, stainless steel and any other nonferrous metals he could find. He brought them in, segregated them, cleaned them, and then sold them to foundries, which smelted them down for reuse.
Early in his career one of the synagogues in town was vandalized and burned to the ground. He went there, sifted through the wreckage, and found a small brass menorah. It was twisted and charred. He showed it to the rabbi who told Joshua to keep it. It was so mangled that it would be of no further use.
Joshua took the menorah back home and over the next several days, worked to see if he could fix the distorted artifact. He pried and tapped and bent and used every tool he owned to try to repair the menorah. Slowly it seemed to retake its shape. Joshua buffed and polished and rubbed and shined the piece until any remnant of its dilapidated condition was no longer visible. The seven-stemmed Jewish candleholder seemed to have a new inner glow that radiated to the surrounding space.
Joshua placed the menorah on top of the cab of his collection truck. As he drove around the city, it shown like a beacon for anyone who cared to look. People around the city began to call him by a new nickname, the Menorah Man!
The menorah did not help much in getting new work. Joshua barely eked out a living. Yet he was never hungry, had enough clothes to wear and had a roof, although small, over his head at night. Joshua was in fact a poor man, but he had pride and enough money to live on.
For Joshua, other than his work in metals, he loved books, all kinds of books. As he rarely had extra money for purchases beyond the basics needed for living, he would often stop by the public library to borrow books because it was free. He had done it for so long that the staff knew him well and grew to like the frequent visits and conversations.
One day while visiting the library the power went out. There was a side room where all the children’s books were kept and the few kids present became frightened and started to cry. Joshua went to the truck, grabbed the menorah from its resting point and brought it into the building. He took some spare candles that the librarians had and went into the children’s room. He lit the menorah. The kids circled around. Not quite knowing what to do, Joshua instinctively grabbed one of the books on the table and began to read.
The kids seemed fascinated. Joshua was a born storyteller. His face would contort to match the character he was reading about and his voice would follow. Spellbound the children listened. When it was completed they asked him to read another, to which he happily complied. At the conclusion of the second story the lights magically came back on. Joshua blew out the candles and returned to his truck.
A few days later Joshua paid another visit to the library. As he entered the building one of the children who were there the other day noticed him. She ran over and begged him to read another story. Joshua, quite embarrassed, was led by his hand back into the children’s room. He picked up a book and began to read. Another child got up and asked Joshua to stop. Quite puzzled, Joshua asked why. The child said he wanted to see the shiny candlestick holder. Joshua got up, went out to the truck and brought in the menorah. The children once again gathered and listened intently while Joshua read them a story.
A routine developed. Every Friday afternoon, before sunset, Joshua would come to the library and read to the children, the menorah by his side. As word spread throughout the city, more and more children came with their parents. It was difficult to find a place to squeeze into the children’s room.
The librarians did not seem to mind and liked the idea that the community was using the library. It also led to more people taking books out and a great reading program developed for the children.
One Friday afternoon Joshua did not show up. The kids crowded in but no one knew where he was. A call came from a nurse. Joshua was quite ill and although he wanted badly to come, he was confined to a bed in the hospital. Joshua had a nurse call the library to let them know, and he hoped he was not disappointing the kids.
The library staff went into the room and explained the situation. One of the parents stood up and said that he had an idea. A few of them should go to the hospital with a book and read it to Joshua. It might cheer him up. When the group tried to get in to see Joshua, the nurses said that there were too many people. A few of the kids asked if they could go in and the nurses said it would be fine. Joshua was surprised and when the kids started to read to him, a big broad smile came over his face.
Joshua, on one of his convalescent walks, noticed that a children’s wing was but a few paces down the hall. Joshua hatched a plan. A few days later a few more kids and parents showed up at the hospital. He and a few of the visiting kids snuck into the children’s wing. One of the parents, noticing Joshua’s truck in the parking lot, went down, grabbed the menorah and set it next to him. Joshua began to read a story in the middle of a large ward of children.
At first when the nurses found out they were quite angry, but the smiles and calm faces of the children as they were being read to made a world of difference. Although against their rules, they did not have the heart to force Joshua to stop. Joshua went daily to the children’s wing, with his menorah and a new book that the library had sent over.
Then one day a call came from the hospital to the library. Joshua had taken a turn for the worse and died during the night. On hearing the news, parents and children gravitated to the library in memorial for Joshua. His love of books, his concern for the community and his relationship to the children had meant so much too so many.
The library, as a lasting memorial to Joshua, brought in readers every Friday afternoon to read to the kids. They placed Joshua’s menorah on top of a big case in the middle of the room for all to see. The hospital also created a type of memorial. They found that reading to the kids was a great benefit. They had an intern come in daily to read to the children. Someone had placed a small menorah in the room. The hospital decided to leave it there.
Word spread of what Joshua did and what the library and hospital were still doing. Other public facilities began to also set up rooms and times to read to the children. What was strange was that every time one of these rooms was created some type of menorah appeared. Sometimes it was a picture, sometimes an actual candleholder. It may have been big or small, real or a facsimile. Yet it was always present.
Amen, Rabbi Lenny
—————————————————–
Chatter
Happy Birthday to: Karen Chobirko, Julie Goldstein, Lydia Greenberg, Susan Hoffman, Michael Liptak, Avi Mazor, Yolanda Pavloff, Sinde Snitger and Anna Spor.
Happy Anniversary to: Shirley and Herb Ratner.
—————————————————–
CEI LINK Program – a video conference experience. Even though CEI is open for in-house worshipers, we continue to video conference the Shabbat Services on Friday at 7:30 pm, so you can continue to attend services from home. Visit our website www.ceigreensburg.org for instructions on how to log into the meeting and for the meeting code (which should be the same each week). If you have any questions, please call and talk with Rabbi Lenny. Songs for the service will be available on the website. The Mishkan T’filah (prayer books) used in the service are available digitally on the website.
—————————————————–
SISTERHOOD NOTES
We have been active again. On November 9, 2025 we assembled at CEI for a short meeting and lunch. Our thanks to Sarah Marshall for providing delicious pastries for the dessert. Lunch was followed by a tour of an exhibit of the works of Elizabeth Catlett at the Museum of American Art organized by Irene Rothschild. The docent led tour was enjoyed by all who attended.
For the month of December, we will get together to cook latkes for the Chanukah party planned for Friday December 19 at 5:30 following services. There will be eating and singing and the lighting of many menorahs. I am looking forward to enjoying the activities.
Wishing all a Happy Chanukah and a Happy New Year 2026.
La, La, La, Sov, Sov, Sov
Shoshana
—————————————————–
ALFRED RATNER LIBRARY NEWS by Shirley Shpargel, Librarian
Author Ayelet Tsabari grew up in a Yemeni neighborhood in Israel. She has written Songs for the Brokenhearted: a novel about Yemeni Jews to describe their traditions, history, their food, their songs, and music. Tsabari weaves together two storylines; one starts in 1950 with Yemenite Jews being airlifted to Israel in search of freedom from persecution and a better life. In the overcrowded immigrant camp, Yaqup, an orphan from North Yemen, is attracted to the singing of Saida and falls in love with her. However, Saida is already married and is the second wife and has a baby boy with her husband.
In 1995 the second storyline is narrated by Zo
Hara, Saida’s daughter, who is living in New York and struggling with a dissertation project for her PhD. While on vacation in Thailand she gets a call from her sister, Lizzie, that their mother has died. Life in Israel was never easy for Zohara. She felt her skin was too dark, their family was too poor, and she found her mother’s traditional music embarrassing. Her return to Israel eventually brings her closer to her sister, her extended family, and nephew, Yoni. When cleaning out her mother’s house, Zohara discovers cassette tapes of her mother singing traditional songs, and an envelope filled with handwritten stories of the past. She realizes that her mother was a much different person than she realized.
Tsabari includes the history of the kidnapping of Jewish Yemenite babies by the Ashkenazi Jews and the murder of Yitzhak Rabin and its effect on the Yemenite community. The main character, Zohara, resembles the author in ways that make her likeable but sometimes difficult. Songs for the Brokenhearted is a beautiful, complex story about internalized racism, religious-secular tensions, and connections that tie to the past. Songs for the Brokenhearted can be checked out from our Alfred Ratner Library.
—————————————————
Would you like to learn how to make Challah?
Join Karen Sarko and Shoshana Halden on Sunday, January 11 at 10:00 AM to do just that. Karen will bake a Challah at home and that way you can taste it. At the temple, you’ll watch how to braid (with a recipe already put together). You’ll be given the recipe and you can try your hand at baking a Challah on your own. For reservations – call Karen at 260-466-9088 or Shoshana 412-610-1924. Thank you, and happy baking! Karen Sarko
—————————————————–
“GO FOR THE GELT RAFFLE” –For each of the 8 nights of Chanukah,
We will draw a winner who will win $36.00 of “Gelt”. The cost is $2.50 per ticket or 10 for $20. A winner will be picked from the stubs returned, no need to watch the lottery for winning numbers! Tickets have been mailed to members and will be available for purchase at the Chanukah dinner (Dec. 19 @ 5:30 PM). If you need extra tickets, please contact the CEI office.
All proceeds benefit CEI and your generosity is greatly appreciated
—————————————————–
CHANUKAH MENORAH LIGHTERS NEEDED! Volunteers are needed to be responsible for lighting the giant Chanukah Menorah on the front lawn from 12/15-12/20. Lighters are needed at 5:00 PM for 12/15, 12/16, 12/17, and 12/18. Please call the CEI office (724-834-0560) or sign up on the flyer in the office, if you and/or your family would like to help us celebrate this holiday with the community. Also, any evenings you would be available and would like to join with the “lighting family”, feel free to attend.
—————————————————–
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
CEI SISTERHOOD CHANUKAH DINNER
Friday, December 19, 2025
5:30 PM
Come celebrate with our CEI family
We will ….. light the giant menorah outside ….. sing songs ….. Go for the Gelt …
… and EAT, EAT, EAT!
Menu: Cold cuts (corned beef, turkey), Tuna, Latkes,
Applesauce, Salads
Desserts & Drinks.
Bring your family hanukiya, and 7 candles
and we will light them together.
Please join us for this fun evening!
Cost for the Chanukah Dinner is:
$20.00 per adult (age 13 & up), $6.00 per child (under 13)
Children age 4 and under Free
CONTACT ROBIN MICKEY BY PHONE OR EMAIL TO RSVP or Complete the reservation form and mail or drop it off, to the Congregation Office by SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 at NOON.
If you have any questions, please call: Shoshana Halden (724-744-0037), Robin Mickey (412-303-5618) or the CEI office (724-834-0560).
BYOB of wine.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
SISTERHOOD CHANUKAH DINNER RESERVATIONS
NAME (S) _________________________________________________
PHONE # _________________________________________________
__________ # of Adults @ $20 = $ ___________
__________ # of Children @ $6 = $ ___________
__________ # of Children 4 & Under = no charge
TOTAL ENCLOSED: $ ___________
Send this completed form with check made payable to CEI Sisterhood to:
Congregation Emanu-El Israel (or C.E.I.), Chanukah Dinner, 222 N. Main St., Gbg., PA 15601
—————————————————–
INVITATION TO WORSHIP
Do you know of someone who is Jewish and currently unaffiliated?
Do you know of someone who would like to worship with us as a member?
If so, please give info to Anna Spor.
—————————————————–
ESTATE PLANNING
If you are planning to initiate or change your will or estate plan, please remember to include Congregation Emanu-El Israel (CEI) as part of your legacy. The monies can be used for a specific purpose as designated by you, or added to an Endowment Fund already set up to assure the ability to continue providing a full-service Congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area.
This legacy can be accomplished by a simple bequest in your will, by one of the allowable charitable trusts where you get an immediate tax advantage, or through life insurance.
PLEASE DO IT NOW! Please check with your attorney or insurance agent. If you have any questions or need additional information, contact Gary Moidel (724-244-6421) or Bob Slone (724-836-5468).
—————————————————–
TREE OF LIFE
Share your joy by inscribing simchas on our Tree of Life… an everlasting remembrance of the meaningful happy events that touch us. Inscribe a leaf our Tree of Life. Leaf – $180 ea. (Price includes engraving)
The golden leaves may be inscribed to commemorate joyous events such as births, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, etc. Share your joy by inscribing simchas on our Tree of Life… an everlasting remembrance of the meaningful happy events that touch us.
Memorial Plaques are for remembering a loved one. You may purchase a plaque for the sanctuary Memorial Boards by contacting the CEI office (724-834-0560). Cost per plaque $300.00.
—————————————————–
WHEN MAKING A DONATION
When making a donation, whether to a CEI Fund or the Remembrance Fund, please provide complete information. This will make it easier and faster to process.
1 The name and address of where to send the response to let them know you made a donation.
2 The reason for the donation (in memory of, in honor of, speedy recovery, etc.) and the full name of the honoree.
3 Name and address of donor.
Example: Please send a card (or accept this donation) to Jane Doe, XXX Main St, Greensburg, PA 156XX. In Honor of the Birthday of Jane Doe! From Jack Jones, XXX Broadway Dr., Greensburg, PA 156XX.
—————————————————–
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THESE GIFTS
PULPIT FLOWERS: In Memory of:
Oct. 31: Abraham Glasser by Stuart and Esther Glasser.
Nov. 21: Stevan Gold by Jim and Marilyn Davis. Abe Berman by Robert and Marion Slone.
Ruth Seltman Roth by Shirley Ratner.
CARING FUND: Supports congregants who are experiencing sickness, bereavement & other personal difficulties.
CEI ENDOWMENT FUND: Provides for the continuity of the congregation by subsidizing future operating expenses. High Holy Day Appeal: Mary Ellen Kane.
TEMPLE EMANU-EL CEMETERY FUND: For beautification and upkeep of the Temple Emanu-El Cemetery. In Memory of: David Richard Gold, Henry Gold, Sadie Gold and Dr. Philip H. Gold by Andrew and Amanda Gold
CONGREGATION GENERAL FUND: CEI operating expenses. High Holy Day Appeal: Ben Krokosky, Robin Mickey. In Memory of: Faye Redlich by Nancy Gold, Karen W. Witte, The Greenberg/Albright Families, Gary and Sissy Stein. Marsha Feldstein by Gary and Sissy Stein.
CONGREGATION YAHRZEIT FUND: In Memory of: Alexander H. Cohen by Stanley Cohen. Dorothy M. Brill by Yvonne and Ed Bureau. Henry Feuerstein, Louis Lader and Rose Shpargel by Shirley Shpargel. Harvey Weiner by Terri and Stan Katzman. Phyllis Ackerman by The Pavloff Family.
LIBRARY BOOK FUND: Provides for the purchase of books and other resource material for the library.
NEW HIGH HOLIDAY, MISHKAN HANEFESH, PRAYER BOOKS: Provides for the purchase of new High Holiday Mishkan HaNefesh.
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND: Helps individuals and/or org. in need.
REMEMBRANCE FUND: A special donation to Sisterhood to honor or celebrate an event or person. Virginia Lieberman (724-668-2442) or Yvonne Bureau (724-837-8072). In Honor of: A speedy recovery to Monte Peters by Irene Rothschild. A speedy recovery to Shirley Shpargel by Irene Rothschild, The Wednesday Mah Jong Group, Virginia & John Lieberman, Wally Caplan, Shoshana & Bob Halden and Jack Wilder.
TREE OF LIFE: A personalized leaf commemorating a happy lifecycle event to be added to the Tree of Life. In Honor of: Our Granddaughter Ava on her Bat Mitzvah Love, Esther & Stuart Glasser.
—————————————————–
HOSPITAL VISITS – The Rabbi will gladly make visits to local area hospitals to visit sick Congregants. Since hospitals no longer release patient information, your help is needed for these visits to take place. Please notify CEI with patient name and hospital.
—————————————————–
SAVE THE DATE
Please Note: All times & events subject to change.
Sunday, December 7: Men’s Club Mitzvah Day, put out large menorah. 10:00 AM.
Sunday, December 14: First night of Hanukahh.
Friday, December 19: Early Hanukahh Service followed by Hanukahh dinner. 5:30 PM.
Wednesday, December 24: CEI office Closed.
Thursday, December 25: CEI office Closed.
—————————————————–
CHANUKAH MENORAH LIGHTERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to be responsible for lighting the giant Chanukah Menorah on the front lawn from 12/14-12/21. Lighters are needed at 5:00 PM for 12/14, 12/15, 12/16, 12/17, 12/18, 12/20 and 12/21. Please call the CEI office (724-834-0560) or sign up on the flyer in the office, if you and/or your family would like to help us celebrate this holiday with the community. Also, any evenings you would be available and would like to join with the “lighting family”, feel free to attend.
—————————————————–
CEI SISTERHOOD CHANUKAH DINNER
Friday, December 19, 2025, 5:30 PM.
Come celebrate with our CEI family. We will… light the giant menorah outside… sing songs… Go for the Gelt… and EAT, EAT, EAT!
Menu: Cold cuts (corned beef, turkey), Tuna, Latkes, Applesauce, Salads, Desserts & Drinks.
Bring your family hanukkiya, and 7 candles and we will light them together.
Please join us for this fun evening!
Cost for the Chanukah Dinner is: $20.00 per adult (age 13 & up), $6.00 per child (under 13), Children age 4 and under Free.
CONTACT ROBIN MICKEY BY PHONE OR EMAIL TO RSVP or Complete the reservation form below and mail or drop it off, to the Congregation Office by SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 at NOON.
If you have any questions, please call: Shoshana Halden (724-744-0037), Robin Mickey (412-303-5618) or the CEI office (724-834-0560).
BYOB of wine.
—————————————————–
GO FOR THE GELT RAFFLE
For each of the 8 nights of Chanukah, we will draw a winner who will win $36.00 of “Gelt”. The cost is $2.50 per ticket or 10 for $20. A winner will be picked from the stubs returned, no need to watch the lottery for winning numbers! Tickets will be mailed to members in November and will be available for purchase at the Chanukah dinner (Dec. 19 @ 5:30 PM).
All proceeds benefit CEI and your generosity is greatly appreciated.
—————————————————–
HOSPITAL VISITS
The Rabbi will gladly make visits to local area hospitals to visit sick Congregants. Since hospitals no longer release patient information, your help is needed for these visits to take place. Please notify CEI with patient name and hospital.
—————————————————–
OFFICE HOURS
The CEI Office is open Monday, Thursday & Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Rabbi Lenny, generally, has office hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Making an appointment is highly recommended, since emergencies and meetings outside the office do occur. The Rabbi can also be available at other times, for your convenience. Please call 724-834-0560 or Rabbi directly at 724-963-0789.
—————————————————–
CEI LEADERSHIP
Rabbi Leonard Sarko
CEI Officers:
President: Joel Last. Vice President: Jamie Kaufer. Treasurer: Julie Goldstein. Recording Secretary: Virginia Lieberman. Sisterhood President: Shoshana Halden. Men’s Club President: Gary Moidel. Bulletin Editors: Mary Ellen Kane, Karen Sarko & Bea Harrison.
—————————————————–
HONORING THEIR MEMORY
Families of the following loved ones will honor their memories and mark the occasion of their family history by reciting the Kaddish this Shabbat.
The following Yahrzeits will be honored at CEI:
December 5: *Phillip Abramson, *Rose Glasser, *Albert E. Gold, Arthur S. Gold, *Sadie R. Gold, *Sarah Grossman, Hanni Lederer Hamburger, Hugo Hamburger, *Max Kay, Matthew Leiner, *Louis H. Levine, *Samuel Levine, *Betty Rae Lewis, *Pinkus Middleman, *Fanny Kogut Millstein and *Sarah Pavloff.
December 12: Gerald Browdie, *Morris Caplan, *Maness Charapp, *Harry M. Dates, *Robert Davis, *Rabbi David Davis, *Joseph Finkelhor, Ethel Fischer, *John Halden, Elizabeth Marie Kates, *Robert Kessler, *Dorothy D. Kramer, *Alexander L. Levin, *Max Litchfield, Robert Mendler, *Philip Mervis, Eleanor Portnoy, *Celia Levin Ratner, *Samuel Shapiro, Freda Virshup, Melva Weisberger, Morris Wolf and *Mary Young.
Dec. 19: *Anne Berkowitz, Leonard Freedman, Lillian B. Gold, Cantor Saul Z. Hammerman, *Clara Hochberg, *Ethel Farber Hoyt, *Anna Kay, *Ida Margaret Levin, *Rae M. Levine, *Eva Markowitz, *Relia W. Ratner, *Mary Schwartz, *Simon Sucatzky, Lillian Weiner, Mildred V. Wilson and *Edith Wolinsky.
Dec. 26: *Paul Adler, Bertha Ainbender, *Joseph Edward Barend, Jean Pretter Brill, *R. Herbert Buchman, Dr. Samuel Caplowe, Hilda Freeman, *Harry M. Friedlander, *Aaron Friedman, Harry Goldman, Charles Horne, *William Jay Karelitz, Ethel W. Kaufmann, *Sarah E. Kramer, *Rosalind Levin, Abe Liebman, *Thelma Loundy, *Rebecca Mistroff, *Mayme Moidel, *Louis I. Paull, Leonard Pittler, Goldie Slone, *Fannie Weber and *Morris M. Young.
Jan. 2: *Benjamin S. Browdie, *Julius Caplan, Florence Clovsky, Mildred Davison, Dorothy C. Farber, *David Flamm, *Lena F. Friedlander, *Miriam Gillis, *Samuel Glicenstein, *Celia R. Goldberg, *Rachel Gordon, *Martin D. Gordon, *Gizella Holtzer, Jenny Lalli, Zalate Goldsmith Levine, *Anna Lewis, *Golden Litchfield, Jacob Meyers, *Sylvia Moidel, *Morris M. Naumoff, *Lena Pomerantz, *Louis Rubin, *Ellen Rochelle Rudt, Louis Segal, *Charles Shendowich, *Morris Shendowich, *Moses M. Shoag and *Paul Shoff.
Jan. 9: *Samuel Brill, *Minnie Dates, *Simon Davis, *Norman Epstein, *Max M. Finkelstein, *Morris Gold, *Ben Gross, *Benjamin M. Harris, *William M. Kahanowitz, Frank Keating, Charlotte Krinock, Marjorie Lieberman, *Bess Marchel, *Sam Miller, Evelyn Neumann, Alex Pavloff, *Isadore Pittler, Ruth Schrag, *Alex Shofnosky, Louis Strauss, *Sylvia Becker Victor, *Sarah Weiner, *William Wolfe, *William Wolinsky, *Elizabeth Ziff, *Morris Ziff and *Morris Zwibel.
* A light will be lit on a Memorial Board
THE HANUKKAH NEWS
Congregation Emanu-El Israel, 222 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA. 15601
Hanukkah is observed for eight days, beginning on the evening of the Twenty-fourth day of
the month of Kislev. This year Hanukkah starts at sundown, Sunday, December 14 and
lasts for eight days through Monday, December 22, 2025.
Alexander the Great of Greece conquered Judea, the home of the Jews, in 333 B.C.E. At that time, Alexander allowed the Jews to maintain their beliefs and traditions. With Alexander’s death, the lands he ruled were divided between the Ptolemies, who ruled in Egypt, and the Seleucids, who ruled in Syria. The Ptolemies and the Seleucids fought for control over Judea. Under the Seleucids, Syrians had adopted Greek culture and habits; in other words, they were Hellenized. In 198 B.C.E. Antiochus III, king of Syria, conquered Judea. Like Alexander, he allowed the Jews to practice Judaism. But all that changed in 175 B.C.E. when Antiochus IV, also known as Antiochus Epiphanes, came to power. He wanted to bring Greek (Hellenistic) culture and religion to Judea. Antiochus Epiphanes wanted to make Jerusalem a Greek city. He issued laws against the Jewish religion, banning Sabbath observance, circumcision and Torah study. He desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem by building a pagan altar in it and forcing the Jews to sacrifice to the Greek gods.
The Jews resented what Antiochus was doing, and in 167 B.C.E. a revolt against Greek rule began. The revolt was led by a priestly family known as the Hasmoneans or Maccabees. The leader of the family was Matityahu. He and his five sons – Judah, Yonatan, Eliezer, Yochanan and Simeon – were from the village of Modi’in. Matityahu was so angry when the Syrian soldiers came to his village to set up an altar to the Greek gods that he slew one of them. Led by Judah, a son of Matityahu, the Jews formed a rebel army to fight the Syrians. The Maccabees defeated Antiochus’ army and recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C.E. The Jews cleaned the Temple and on the 25th of Kislev the Temple was rededicated.
There are certain central themes which run through our celebration of Hanukkah which are important to acknowledge.
Y Hanukkah was a struggle for freedom of religious practice, the first in recorded history. That a group of people chose to put their lives on the line and battle a much stronger foe in pursuit of freedom is the real miracle of Hanukkah.
Y The events leading up to the Maccabean revolt put in jeopardy the continued religious identity of the Jewish people which, if continued, would have meant an end to Jewish people-hood. The battle therefore, was a battle for Jewish survival.
Y Hanukkah symbolizes the fight against totalitarianism in all forms. Hanukkah celebrates more than the independence of one people; it points toward the right to freedom for all.
Y Hanukkah affirms the universal truth that the only effective answer to oppression is to fight for and defend the values and principles that oppression threatens.
How do we prepare the Hanukkah menorah?
The unique mitzvah of Hanukkah is to publicize the miracle of the Maccabees’ defeat of the Syrian-Greeks and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. We do this by lighting the hanukiah and displaying it in a window so that people who pass by may see it. The hanukiah is a special nine-branched candelabrum we use for Hanukkah. Eight of the branches represent the eight nights of Hanukkah. The ninth branch is called the shamash – the servant candle – and is used to light all the others. The first night of Hanukkah we begin with one candle, plus the shamash; on the second night two candles plus the shamash, increasing the number of candles with each day of the holiday. On Friday evening, the Hanukkah candles are lit before the Shabbat candles.
What do we actually do when we light them?
Tradition has us say the blessing first, then light the candles (perhaps while singing Ma’oz Tzur). Some families find it meaningful to recite the blessings while the candles are being lit. The first two blessings are read (or sung) each night of Hanukkah. The third blessing (Shehecheyanu) is used on the first night only. The Hanukkah lights should be kindled after dark, except on Shabbat.
How do we light them?
We place the candles in the menorah starting at the right; but we light starting at the left or with the newest candle each night.
What if Hanukkah falls on Shabbat?
Light your hanukiyah first, followed by the Shabbat candles.
—————————————————–
The Game of Dreidel.
Dreidel is the traditional game played on Hanukkah. Any number of people can play! Each player contributes nuts, raisins, or candies to a central “pot” and spins the dreidel (top) in turn. The Hebrew letters on the four sides of the dreidel represent the first letter of the phrase.
“Nes Gadol Haya Sham” – a great miracle happened there, in reference to the story of Hanukkah.
If the dreidel ends “nun”, you neither win nor lose;
If the driedel lands on “gimmel”, you win the pot.
If the dreidel falls on “hey”, you win ½ the pot
If it falls on “shin”, or a “pey” פ, you add two to the pot.
—————————————————–
If you need the prayers for lighting candles please contact the rabbi.
